Chorus Teacher
Chorus Teacher
Job Category: Lower School: Grades 1-5, Middle School: Grades 6-8, and Subject Teacher
Opening Statement
As a member of the faculty at Maple Village Waldorf School, the Chorus Teacher is responsible for the Chorus education of elementary and middle school students.
Music is integral to the Waldorf curriculum, and the teacher introduces musical notation and singing to Grades 5th – 8th grade. The Chorus teacher is responsible for teaching each grade twice per week. The content of instruction will be determined, in part, by the skill set that the music teacher currently possesses and develops over time through professional development. This content should appropriately challenge the student to achieve musical growth in a scaffolded and incremental way. Particular emphasis will be placed on the following areas: academic excellence, developmentally appropriate curriculum, consideration of individual student differences, development of social skills, thorough lesson preparation, artistic presentation, and classroom management.
About
We are a progressive suburban school housed in a historic church building in the quiet neighborhood of Belmont Heights. Our relationship with Long Beach Parks and Recreation allows us to utilize four parks within walking distance for partial school days. Our school was recently one of six private schools in the country to be named a U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School for environmental sustainability, health and wellness, and STEM. We are located minutes from the beach, 1.5 hours to the desert, 2 hours to the mountains, and 30 minutes from a Waldorf high school. We have a diverse population, and we are focused on equitability and inclusion for people of all religions, races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and gender identities/expressions. Our Village has a lot of heart, strong parent participation, and is centered on families, community, parent education, collaboration, and mutual respect. MVWS is an Associate Member of AWSNA and a Developing Member of WECAN.
Teaching Culture:
Our school is entering its 18th year and programs include Parent/Baby, Parent/Toddler, 3 Preschools, 2 Kindergartens, and Grades 1 – 8. We have an experienced faculty, strong peer mentoring program, and together we study, listen, counsel, laugh, eat, and celebrate. Our specialty subjects include Handwork, Woodwork, Spanish, Japanese, Games, Strings, Chorus, and Gardening. We also have a strong Early Childhood and Grades Extended Care program.
Essential Job Duties
Essential Job Functions:
● Choosing repertoire, planning lessons, and teaching classes, organizing and executing two concerts per school year.
● Classes include lessons in music theory, solfege, vocal technique, appropriate style, teaching age, and developmentally appropriate choral arrangements, as well as the singing of simple songs and rounds as a community.
● Repertoire should include songs in a variety of styles and ideally involve at least one foreign language, with consideration for main lesson topics.
● Concerts are in Winter and at the end of the year.
● Working with students with a variety of learning styles and different levels of skill and ability.
● Working with class groups as a cohesive whole, even though they contain students with a variety of learning styles and varying levels of skills and abilities.
● Preparing students and attending performances at concerts, festivals, and special events throughout the academic year.
● Attending Specialty Teacher meetings once per month and as scheduled for In-Service and Parent/Caregiver Orientation. Also, attend occasional Music Department meetings.
● Writing student mid-year progress reports and end-of-year reports.
● Planning, organizing, and executing concerts twice yearly, together with other music faculty.
Qualifications
Qualifications:
● Chorus/Music Education and Training
● Teaching experience in classroom/group setting for elementary and/or middle school.
● Willingness to learn about Waldorf education and incorporate Waldorf principles of child development into teaching.
Skills, Knowledge, and/or Abilities Required:
Skills:
● Exemplary classroom management and discipline.
● Strong fiscal and administrative responsibilities, listening, verbal, written, and interpersonal communication.
Knowledge:
● Knowledge of music pedagogy and repertoire.
● Knowledge of Waldorf education.
Ability:
● Relate to, motivate, and challenge children and staff.
● Leadership in working with students, staff, parents, and the community. Commitment to the concept of collaborative decision-making.
● Ability to collaborate with music and other faculty on curriculum and performances.
● Ability to communicate effectively with students, colleagues, and parents.
● Ability to be punctual, starting and ending classes on time.
Education required:
● Bachelor’s Degree in music or related field preferred
● Waldorf teacher training completion preferred
Employment Details
From $35-$50 per 45-minute lesson (includes prep time). Approximately 4 class periods per week.
To Apply
We invite you to complete our job application on our website (available at https://maplevillagewaldorf.org/career-opportunities/) and submit it, along with a cover letter, resume, and letters of reference to MVWS Head of School Lisa J. McCarthy at Lisa.McCarthy@maplevillageschool.org. Eligible applicants will be contacted for a phone interview, references will be contacted, and qualified applicants will be invited to an interview with our Hiring Committee, followed up with demonstration lessons.
MVWS is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace where every staff member feels heard, supported, valued, and can share their authentic brilliance to move the MVWS mission forward. MVWS is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Folx who are queer, trans, non-binary, Black, Indigenous, people of color, parents, women, people with disabilities, immigrants, and anyone who has experienced systemic oppression and/or gender-based violence are encouraged to apply. We are committed to addressing issues of racism and inequity internally and externally.
To learn more about our school, please visit our website, Facebook, and Instagram pages at:
https://www.facebook.com/maplevillageschool/
https://www.instagram.com/maplevillagewaldorfschool/